the Learn-It-All™ podcast

Damon Lembi
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  • Updated Weekly

The Learn-It-All™ podcast is built on the conviction that the leaders worth following aren't the ones with all the answers. They're the ones who never stop learning. If you've chosen growth over coasting, and curiosity over the comfort of being the smartest person in the room, you're a learn-it-all. And this podcast is for you. Host Damon Lembi is a 3x bestselling author, CEO of Learnit, and someone who has spent 30 years watching what separates leaders who keep growing from those who quietly become the ceiling that limits everyone around them. Each episode features real conversations with top executives, founders, NYT bestselling authors, and world-class athletes — people who've faced adversity, made costly mistakes, and done the hard, unglamorous work of growing. They share what they learned — and unlearned — to lead at the next level. Great leaders aren't born or made. They're always in the making. Let's not do that work alone. Stay curious. Keep learning. Subscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast on your favorite platform to never miss an episode.

  1. 300. The Winning Mindset of a 2x National Championship Baseball Coach | Andy Lopez

    1d ago

    300. The Winning Mindset of a 2x National Championship Baseball Coach | Andy Lopez

    What does it actually take to build a championship culture when nobody believes you belong in the room? For the 300th episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with a very special guest: legendary college baseball coach Andy Lopez. This episode is deeply personal because Andy was not only Damon’s coach at Pepperdine but also a major influence on his life, leadership style, and career. From telling Damon the hard truth as a young athlete to modeling what it means to lead with standards, discipline, faith, and care, Andy helped shape the way Damon thinks about business, accountability, and people. In this conversation, Damon and Andy revisit the unforgettable 1992 Pepperdine national championship run, including the “Omaha” pencils, the College World Series banquet where Andy’s name was mispronounced, and the bus speech that helped turn disrespect into fuel. Andy also shares the leadership lessons behind building elite teams at Pepperdine and Arizona, why “be on time” and “do the right thing when nobody’s looking” were the only two rules in his program, and why leaders have to be willing to “motivate people with the truth.” This episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom on championship culture, servant leadership, mental toughness, parenting, accountability, resilience, and the cost of chasing greatness without taking care of yourself. 📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why Andy believed Pepperdine could win a national championship even when others thought the idea was ridiculousWhy Andy told his players, “Take care of tomorrow today,” and how that mindset shaped championship-level preparationWhy leaders cannot let top performers get away with toxic behavior, even when they produce resultsHow “one fly spoils the whole bottle of perfume” became one of Andy’s clearest lessons on culture, standards, and accountabilityWhy Andy believes great leaders must know what is happening in people’s lives outside of work, not just how they perform on the field or in the officeWhat Andy learned after open heart surgery about servant leadership, health, and the danger of becoming too consumed with yourselfWhy Andy says leaders should never lower their standards, but they can learn to lower the volumeHow telling the truth, even when it hurts, can be one of the kindest things a leader doesWhy Andy challenged players to identify their own standards and become “a warrior under control”What parents can do to help kids build identity, resilience, discipline, faith, and depth without living through them Timestamps 00:00 Episode preview and introduction01:42 Damon welcomes Andy Lopez for a very special 300th episode03:27 The moment Andy realized people thought his championship goal was crazy04:10 How “Omaha” pencils made an impossible goal feel real06:04 Why Andy banned his players from wearing another team’s shirt08:31 The “bad job” Andy almost turned down13:53 The College World Series banquet that lit a fire under Pepperdine15:21 What Andy felt when they called him the wrong name17:14 What Andy remembers from the final out of the national championship18:42 The moment Andy’s dad held the trophy and said, “I told you”20:57 Where Andy’s two-rule leadership philosophy really came from23:24 The only two rules Andy had for 38 years as a head coach28:46 The “one fly” lesson every leader needs to hear30:26 Damon shares the painful culture lesson he learned at Learnit32:47 Why fair leadership does not mean treating everyone the same35:24 The tragedy that changed how Andy thought about connection37:11 Why people need leaders who actually listen39:31 The health scare Andy almost ignored43:27 What changed when Andy returned after open-heart surgery45:50 The servant leadership lesson Andy learned the hard way49:09 How intensity and stress nearly cost Andy his life50:48 What Andy would change if he coached again today56:06 The difference between being nice and being kind as a leader57:05 Why telling the truth is one of the kindest things a leader can do58:15 How Andy used the five whys to get to the real problem59:06 The conversation with Andy that Damon never forgot1:00:33 Why “life is difficult” became one of Andy’s core messages1:01:47 Why impossible goals often get dismissed as luck1:04:35 How Andy brought Reality City to Arizona baseball1:06:50 Why great competitors need both the serpent and the dove1:08:26 Could Andy survive coaching in today’s world?1:13:37 Why Andy still believes in today’s athletes1:15:43 How parents can help kids build resilience and accountability1:16:31 Why Andy kept his awards out of the house1:18:07 The daily message Andy still sends every morning1:18:44 Why Andy wants people to have more depth1:20:12 What winning at Arizona meant with his sons in uniform About Andy Lopez Andy Lopez is a legendary college baseball coach, national champion, mentor, and leadership figure whose career spans nearly four decades as a head coach. He led Pepperdine to the 1992 College World Series championship and later guided the University of Arizona to the 2012 national championship. Known for his intense standards, deep faith, fierce accountability, and commitment to developing young men beyond the game, Andy built championship cultures by demanding excellence in the small things. His coaching philosophy centered on discipline, truth, preparation, servant leadership, and helping players get ready for life, not just baseball. Resources and Mentions The Road Less Travelled by M. Scott Peck - https://www.amazon.com/Road-Less-Travelled-Psychology-Traditional/dp/0099727404 Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Subscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast: Youtube I Apple I Spotify Follow Damon Lembi: Linkedin I Instagram I Facebook I X

    1h 23m
  2. 299. How to Find the Next Big Opportunity Before Everyone Else Does | Garrett Larsson

    May 26

    299. How to Find the Next Big Opportunity Before Everyone Else Does | Garrett Larsson

    What if the biggest startup opportunities aren’t in the hottest markets, but in the “old, clunky” industries everyone else ignores? In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with Garrett Larsson, founder and CEO of Rhombus, to unpack how founders can build massive B2B companies by looking where the hype isn’t. Garrett shares why industries that don’t attract the most venture capital or media attention can still produce category-defining businesses, especially when there is a major shift in technology, go-to-market strategy, or customer behavior. Garrett also breaks down the lessons he learned across three startups, including why great products alone don’t win, why distribution may matter even more than product in the early days, and why founders must learn to sell before hiring a sales team. Damon and Garrett dig into founder-led sales, product-market fit, startup mistakes, board accountability, and how to build a leadership team that can challenge each other without letting ego wreck the company. From AI security cameras and cloud physical security to robotics, computer vision, B2B go-to-market strategy, startup culture, and the future of engineering in the age of AI, Garrett brings a practical, no-fluff perspective on what it really takes to scale. His core message is simple: the best startups are not perfect. They are the ones that learn the fastest, move on from mistakes, and stay curious long enough to keep getting better. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why founders should pay attention to “unsexy” industries that don’t get all the venture money, but can still become massive companiesWhy Tesla’s direct-to-consumer model is a powerful example of go-to-market disruption, not just product innovationHow Garrett and the Rhombus team used founder-market fit, old customer relationships, and direct outreach to land their first 10 to 20 customersWhy B2B founders should personally sell to 10 to 20 unrelated companies before hiring a single salespersonHow to tell the difference between smart startup risks and risks that can cause real damage, especially in security, data, and hardware businessesWhy every startup is “a different version of a shit show” and how the best teams learn from mistakes without blaming, dwelling, or repeating themHow Garrett thinks about founder relationships, open communication, letting go of grudges, and building trust across a long-term leadership teamWhy curiosity, hunger, and lifelong learning may become even more important as AI makes great engineers dramatically more productive Timestamps 00:00 Episode preview and introduction01:09 The hidden upside of overlooked industries02:35 How to spot an industry ready to break04:05 The go-to-market lesson founders miss05:14 Why the fastest learners win06:37 How one founding team survived three startups08:38 The founder conflict advice no one likes hearing10:58 Every startup is a different version of chaos12:51 When moving fast becomes dangerous15:42 What Rhombus is really building18:17 The hardware lessons software founders never expect22:12 How Garrett landed his first customers24:19 What good investors actually do26:22 The VC advantage beyond the check28:16 Should every founder stay CEO?30:11 Why founders must sell before hiring sales32:27 The warning signs inside sales and support34:35 How bureaucracy quietly kills momentum35:32 Will AI replace software engineers?37:50 The culture Garrett refuses to compromise42:10 Why busy founders cannot stop learning44:38 Rhombus’ next big bet: robotics46:46 Where AI-powered security matters most About Garrett Larsson Garrett Larsson is the founder and CEO of Rhombus, a cloud physical security company building AI security cameras, access control, IoT sensors, alarm monitoring, and guest management tools for businesses and large organizations. A computer science engineer by background, Garrett has started three companies and brings deep experience in B2B software, cybersecurity, hardware, AI, go-to-market strategy, and founder-led sales. At Rhombus, Garrett and his team are helping modern organizations rethink physical security with cloud-based systems, computer vision, and AI-driven insights. Before Rhombus, Garrett built companies in mobile and cybersecurity, including Mojave Networks, and learned firsthand that product matters, but distribution, customer traction, and fast learning are what separate good ideas from scalable companies. Resources and Mentions Garrett Larsson’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrettlarsson/ Rhombus website: https://www.rhombus.com/ Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates.

    48 min
  3. 298. Former Tesla Executive: Why Speed Is the Only Business Strategy That Actually Works | Jay Abbasi

    May 21

    298. Former Tesla Executive: Why Speed Is the Only Business Strategy That Actually Works | Jay Abbasi

    Most leaders are moving too slowly for the world they’re trying to win in. In this episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon sits down with Keynote speaker and former Tesla executive Jay Abbasi to unpack why speed in business, leadership adaptability, and decisive action are becoming non-negotiable advantages in today’s AI-driven workplace. Jay shares how his time at Tesla taught him that in an environment full of change, chaos, and uncertainty, waiting on the sidelines means falling behind. The better move? Fail forward, take calculated risks, and trust that the first decision does not have to be perfect because you can always make another one. Jay also breaks down why high-performing leaders need more than hustle. They need resilience, emotional awareness, mindfulness, and the ability to lead through discomfort without burning out. He explains why burnout is not caused by what you do, but by what you do not do to recharge. Using his “Fundamental Six” framework, Jay gives leaders a practical way to build energy, clarity, and well-being through better sleep, physical fitness, mental fitness, positive consumption, social connection, and healthier daily habits. Damon and Jay also dig into what it really takes to lead in 2026 and beyond, especially as AI accelerates the pace of change. They cover how to give difficult feedback without avoiding discomfort, why concise communication builds confidence and credibility, how to influence without authority, and why adaptability may be the most important leadership skill of the next decade. If you want to become a faster, calmer, more effective leader in a world that refuses to slow down, this conversation is packed with practical leadership tools you can use immediately. In this episode, you’ll learn... Why Jay believes that “success loves speed” and how his time at Tesla taught him to take messy action, fail forward, and stop waiting for certainty before making decisionsHow leaders can stop spiraling after failure by observing their emotions instead of becoming trapped by anger, frustration, or self-criticismWhy Jay recommends the 4-7-8 breathing technique as a simple one-minute starting point for overwhelmed leaders who think they are “too busy” to practice mindfulnessWhy burnout is caused by what you do not do to recharge, and how Jay’s Fundamental Six framework helps leaders rebuild energy, clarity, and well-beingWhy discomfort before a difficult conversation is often a signal that the conversation matters, not a reason to avoid itWhy adaptability is essential for AI-driven leadership, and what happens to leaders who cling to “this is how we’ve always done it”Why concise communication is a future-proof leadership skill, and how “brevity is confidence, length is fear” can change the way leaders show up in meetings Timestamps 00:00 - Episode preview and introduction01:02 - Jay reveals why success actually loves speed03:20 - How to stop spiraling after failure05:19 - The inner voice test most leaders fail06:40 - Why Viktor Frankl still matters for modern leadership07:25 - The loss that pushed Jay into mindfulness09:48 - The one-minute breathing practice busy leaders can actually use12:23 - What to do when your thoughts won’t shut up14:48 - How grief changed Jay’s health, habits, and curiosity17:06 - Why burnout is caused by what you don’t do18:43 - The “Fundamental Six” every leader should audit20:35 - Why your workout does not need to be 90 minutes25:27 - The hidden trap behind people pleasing30:39 - How to face discomfort without beating yourself up33:29 - The visualization trick that makes hard conversations easier34:54 - Why adaptability will define AI-driven leaders39:46 - The human advantage AI cannot replace41:47 - How to become a more concise communicator44:12 - The feedback move that gives you instant data46:08 - Why your manager relationship matters more than you think47:07 - Jay shares the leadership mistake that rebuilt trust50:09 - Why specific public appreciation hits differently52:01 - The story-first format behind Jay’s podcast54:06 - The three leadership problems Jay is most focused on solving55:43 - Damon’s final challenge for leaders who want to move faster About Jay Abbasi Jay Abbasi is a former Tesla executive, leadership coach, keynote speaker, and host of the Unstuck podcast. His work focuses on helping leaders thrive in high-demand, fast-changing environments without burning out. Drawing from his experience at Tesla, his personal journey through grief and growth, and his work coaching leaders, Jay teaches practical strategies for resilience, adaptability, mindfulness, effective communication, and influencing without authority. He is especially passionate about helping leaders manage change, lead their teams through uncertainty, and communicate with clarity and confidence in an AI-driven world. Resources and Mentions Jay Abbasi’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Jay Abbasi’s website: https://jayabbasi.me/ Jay Abbasi’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ Unstuck with Jay Abbasi podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unstuck-with-jay-abbasi/id1757296131 Jay Abbasi’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast/videos Man’s Search for Meaning book: https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl/dp/0807014273 Smart Brevity book: https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Brevity-Power-Saying-More/dp/1523516976 Mastering The Business of Storytelling: A Learn-It-All™ Mini-Series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8_Ed_2nZqU4riK9XSdblfgBi4p_0iDYi Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates.

    57 min
  4. 297. Most Companies Are Using AI Wrong And It's Costing Them | Christa Hill

    May 19

    297. Most Companies Are Using AI Wrong And It's Costing Them | Christa Hill

    What if your AI strategy is making your team faster, but not actually smarter? In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with Christa Hill, Co-Founder of Tacit Edge and Learnit’s very own Chief AI Learning Officer, to unpack why so many leaders, teams, and organizations are still using artificial intelligence at what Christa calls “brochure-level.” Playing around with ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude, or Gemini might feel like progress, but Christa says real AI literacy starts when you stop treating AI like a shortcut and start using it to rethink strategy, decision-making, team workflows, and business value. Christa explains why most people are still operating at a grade three or grade four level of AI literacy, why productivity wins eventually cap out, and why leaders cannot keep approving AI tools or projects they do not understand. She also breaks down one of the biggest mistakes companies are making right now: banning AI use and accidentally pushing employees into unregulated, risky “shadow AI” behavior. As Christa puts it, organizations do not really have AI problems. They have very human problems surrounding the technology. Damon and Christa also dig into what the future of work actually looks like when every employee is augmented by AI. From “greenhouse meetings” that unlock better ideas to using transcripts and AI tools to spot trends across team conversations, Christa shares practical ways to build real AI capability without losing the human advantage. Because AI may have more IQ points than us, but it does not have our judgment, empathy, lived experience, or what Christa calls “your proprietary data set.” In This Episode, You’ll Learn: What Christa means by “brochure-level” AI use, and why surface-level productivity hacks are not enough for real AI transformationWhy Christa calls ChatGPT “Captain Confidence,” and why leaders need to read, edit, and add the final 30% that makes AI-generated work actually sound like themHow to avoid wasting money on AI adoption by solving one or two business problems first, instead of trying to make one tool fix everythingWhy productivity wins cap out if they are not connected to team goals, business strategy, and collective valueWhy companies should stop running every day like “Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals” and give people room to think about the future of their workWhy recording meetings, using transcripts, and feeding team conversations into AI tools can help spot trends, risks, and new business opportunitiesWhy banning AI tools may be one of the riskiest moves a company can make, especially in regulated industries with confidential informationWhat Christa says is the true human advantage: your proprietary data set, your lived experience, your judgment, your empathy, your context, and your gifts Timestamps 00:00 - Episode preview and introduction01:22 - Why Copilot doesn’t make you AI literate03:03 - The mistake self-taught AI users keep making08:16 - The “Captain Confidence” problem with ChatGPT10:30 - Why most people are still at a grade three AI level14:12 - Productivity wins are not an AI strategy16:52 - How one team bought back time with AI literacy19:09 - Why your team needs “game one days”23:15 - Why AI literacy makes people less afraid of being replaced24:25 - Technical debt explained for non-technical leaders27:01 - Why every meeting should become usable data28:52 - The “yes, and” exercise that kills bad brainstorming31:45 - Why people don’t have their best ideas on command33:41 - How leaders can capture ideas before they disappear38:21 - AI is a mirror, so what is it exposing?39:37 - Why Christa doesn’t buy the AI replacement panic42:18 - The question every leader should ask AI but probably won’t45:13 - Why banning AI might be your riskiest move54:09 - The executive AI questions leaders are afraid to ask57:18 - Smash or pass: the AI tools Christa actually recommends01:01:41 - The human advantage AI can’t copy01:03:21 - How to know when you need real AI education About Christa Hill Christa Hill is the Co-Founder of Tacit Edge and Chief AI Learning Officer at Learnit, where she helps leaders, executives, and teams build practical AI literacy and develop a smarter approach to technology, people, workflows, and business strategy. With more than 20 years of experience in technology, product management, and business transformation, Christa teaches organizations how to move beyond basic AI tools training and start using artificial intelligence to solve real business problems. Her work focuses on helping people become builders, not just users, so they can understand AI’s limits, create stronger guardrails, reduce risk, and amplify the human skills that still matter most in the future of work. Resources and Mentions Christa Hill’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christajhill/ Tacit Edge’s website: https://tacit-edge.com/ Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates.

    1h 5m
  5. 296. The Real Workforce Crisis Isn’t AI — It’s Human Disconnection | Colleen Stanley

    May 14

    296. The Real Workforce Crisis Isn’t AI — It’s Human Disconnection | Colleen Stanley

    What happens when people stop feeling seen at work, right as AI makes it easier than ever to avoid real human connection? In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with Colleen Stanley, President of SalesLeadership, author, and one of Salesforce’s Top 7 Sales Influencers of the 21st Century, to talk about the workforce crisis hiding in plain sight: leaders know mentorship matters, but the pace of change, remote work, social media, AI, and the “tyranny of the urgent” keep pushing it to the bottom of the list. Colleen explains why mentorship may not show up as a clean line item on a profit and loss statement, but it absolutely impacts employee engagement, retention, leadership development, emotional intelligence, sales performance, and company culture. Colleen also breaks down why AI will make human mentorship more important, not less. As younger professionals turn to AI tools for answers, judgment, and critical thinking, leaders have a bigger responsibility to pass down wisdom earned through real experience. From the power of a five-minute conversation to the danger of checking “one more message” during meetings, this conversation is a wake-up call for leaders who want to build mentorship cultures, strengthen workplace belonging, improve focus, and create teams where people don’t have to go it alone. In this episode, you’ll learn... How the “perfect storm” of remote work, social media, technology, and the pace of change is weakening the workplace communityWhy AI makes mentorship more urgent, especially as younger employees turn to tools before turning to experienced leadersWhy Colleen believes focus is not just a productivity skill, but a relationship skill that affects trust, learning, and sales conversationsHow to stop “managing from the suite” and become more intentional about spending real time with your peopleWhy empathy is a paying-attention skill, and how one five-minute mentor conversation stayed with Colleen for 25 yearsWhy getting to “100 no’s” can become a powerful sales leadership lesson instead of a confidence killerHow mentorship cultures accelerate learning, improve retention, build confidence, and turn individual experience into organizational advantage Timestamps 00:00 Episode preview and introduction01:13 Why leaders still avoid mentorship even when they know it works02:35 The invisible workplace problem that quietly destroys retention05:24 The “divine download” that became Be the Mentor Who Mattered07:18 The three forces making mentorship more urgent than ever10:09 How leaders can pull teams out of self-absorption11:27 The “one more message” habit that makes people feel invisible13:42 When distraction becomes a values problem17:43 How mentorship can make leaders more empathetic19:21 Why you do not need a big title to become a mentor20:37 The power of one person believing in you21:39 The five-minute conversation Colleen still feels 25 years later25:20 Why giving someone your time can build their confidence27:17 Why AI makes human mentorship even more important29:53 The lesson Colleen believes AI probably cannot teach32:31 How a mentor can turn rejection into momentum34:42 The question that helps people see a better story36:50 How mentorship cultures accelerate learning and results38:49 What the Vagabonds can teach modern leaders about peer mentoring40:19 Why Colleen wants leaders to stop waiting for mentees to ask42:35 How to find 30 minutes for mentorship44:19 Where to connect with Colleen Stanley About Colleen Stanley Colleen Stanley is the president of SalesLeadership, a sales development firm specializing in emotional intelligence, sales, and sales leadership. She is the author of Emotional Intelligence for Sales Success, Emotional Intelligence for Sales Leadership, Growing Great Sales Teams, and Be the Mentor Who Mattered. Known for connecting EQ with real-world leadership and sales performance, Colleen helps leaders build disciplined, focused, emotionally intelligent teams that communicate better, sell with more value, and create stronger cultures. Resources and Mentions Be The Mentor Who Mattered book: https://www.amazon.com/Be-Mentor-Who-Mattered-Difference/dp/1962834573 Colleen Stanley’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenstanleysli/ SalesLeadership’s website: https://www.salesleadershipdevelopment.com/ The Learn-It-All Leader book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 Reclaiming Conversation book: https://www.amazon.com/Reclaiming-Conversation-Power-Talk-Digital/dp/0143109790 What Happened to You? book: https://www.amazon.com/What-Happened-You-Understanding-Resilience/dp/1250223180 The Harvard Study of Adult Development: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/04/over-nearly-80-years-harvard-study-has-been-showing-how-to-live-a-healthy-and-happy-life/ Gallup Workplace Engagement Research: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/285674/improve-employee-engagement-workplace.aspx Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates.

    45 min
  6. 295. If AI Has All The Answers, What Do You Compete On? | Andrea Iorio

    May 12

    295. If AI Has All The Answers, What Do You Compete On? | Andrea Iorio

    AI is not just changing the future of work. It is exposing which parts of your job were never the real work to begin with. In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with Andrea Iorio, keynote speaker and best-selling author of Between You and AI, to break down how leaders can use artificial intelligence without losing the human skills that make them irreplaceable. Andrea reframes the fear around AI replacing jobs by showing how AI is really coming for repetitive tasks, data analysis, reports, meeting recaps, emails, and the “work about work” that keeps people busy but not always productive. Andrea shares the nine human skills leaders need in an AI-powered workplace, including prompting, data sense-making, reperception, augmentation, antifragility, adaptability, empathy, trust, and agency. He also explains why asking better questions matters more than having all the answers, why leaders need to “empty the cup” and unlearn old assumptions, and why 93% of HR leaders in his research said they would rather hire for soft skills than hard skills. Damon and Andrea also dig into the real reason many companies struggle with AI adoption: they bought the “Ferrari,” but their teams do not know how to drive it yet. From building antifragile teams to keeping humans in the loop, verifying AI outputs, and managing future hybrid teams of humans and AI agents, this conversation gives leaders a practical roadmap for using AI to build skills, protect trust, and create work that is more human, not less. In This Episode, You’ll Learn The nine human skills Andrea believes matter most in the AI-powered workplaceWhy asking better questions is now more valuable than having all the answers, especially when AI can produce information faster than any human can memorize itWhy “reperception” means emptying the cup, unlearning what used to work, and giving up past decisions when the market, customer, and technology have changedWhy 93% of HR leaders in Andrea’s research preferred the candidate with stronger soft skills over the candidate with better hard skillsWhy Andrea believes resilience is not enough, because leaders should not just “bounce back” from mistakes, they should improve because of themHow AI can damage customer trust when companies automate too much, and why augmentation often beats full automation when empathy and personalization matterHow companies can avoid the “AI Ferrari” problem by training teams to actually drive the tools instead of just buying expensive technology Timestamps 00:00 – Episode preview and introduction00:58 – Challenging the fear that AI is coming for your job.03:13 – The first leadership tasks that should probably be handed to AI.05:17 – Why leaders still need discernment before shipping AI-generated work.07:34 – The human skills that matter most in an AI-led workplace.13:35 – The HR study that changed how Andrea thinks about hard skills and soft skills.18:04 – How AI can make leaders better at asking questions to other humans.21:17 – Why leaders need to “empty the cup” before they can adapt.25:17 – How reverse mentoring helped leaders at L’Oréal rethink old assumptions.28:30 – What Tinder learned from Candy Crush and why leaders should look outside their industry.32:51 – Andrea explains why antifragility is one step beyond resilience.37:40 – Andrea uses Giannis Antetokounmpo’s viral answer to reframe what failure really means.44:10 – The difference between automating humans away and augmenting humans with AI.52:25 – Why companies are buying the AI Ferrari before teaching teams how to drive it.59:03 – Why the future of work will not be fully human or fully AI.01:05:54 – Where listeners can connect with Andrea and learn more about Between You and AI.01:07:35 – Andrea leaves leaders with the question that reveals whether they are still growing. About Andrea Iorio Andrea Iorio is a keynote speaker, author, and AI leadership expert focused on helping organizations build the human skills needed to thrive in the future of work. He is the best-selling author of Between You and AI, published by Wiley, where he explores how leaders can adapt to artificial intelligence through skills like prompting, data sense-making, reperception, adaptability, antifragility, empathy, trust, and agency. Drawing from his experience as Chief Digital Officer at L’Oréal and his work with global companies, Andrea helps leaders use AI not just to increase productivity, but to rethink how teams work, make decisions, and stay human in an AI-powered world. Resources and Mentions Between You and AI book: https://www.amazon.com/Between-You-AI-Unlock-AI-Driven/dp/1394357982 Andrea Iorio’s website: https://andreaiorio.com/en/ Andrea Iorio’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaiorio/ Andrea Iorio’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aiorio_br/ Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates.

    1h 9m
  7. 294. NBA's Top Psychologist Reveals How to Thrive Under Pressure | Wayne Chappelle

    May 7

    294. NBA's Top Psychologist Reveals How to Thrive Under Pressure | Wayne Chappelle

    What if your team isn’t underperforming because of talent, strategy, or effort, but because they’re mentally falling apart under pressure? In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with clinical psychologist and Oklahoma City Thunder’s team psychologist Wayne Chappelle to break down the emotional, social, and behavioral habits that separate good teams from elite teams. Drawing from his work with special operations, professional athletes, executives, and high-performance organizations, Wayne explains why talent and physical stamina matter, but are never enough on their own. Wayne shares the 4 warning signs that leaders and teams are starting to break down: blindness, complacency, distraction, and despair. He also explains why every leader needs a “wingman,” why difficult feedback is a sign of investment, and why the best performers learn how to compartmentalize emotion when pressure gets high. As Wayne puts it, if your emotional IQ is low, it does not matter how smart, talented, or experienced you are because eventually, it will hurt the team. This conversation is a masterclass in high-performance leadership, mental toughness, team accountability, growth mindset, emotional resilience, and building a culture that can handle the crucible before it arrives. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why natural talent and physical capability are important, but not enough to build an extraordinary teamThe 4 warning signs your team is mentally falling apart: blindness, complacency, distraction, and despairHow elite teams use debriefs to normalize feedback, even after a successful mission or projectHow to compartmentalize emotion under pressure so you can make decisions based on facts, logic, and objective dataWhy past success does not earn you a permanent seat on the team, and why Wayne says you have to earn your place every dayHow elite performers visualize worst-case scenarios so they are ready before chaos shows upWhy even the worst losses, failures, and painful experiences can become “diamonds” if you sift through them the right way Timestamps 00:00 – Episode preview and introduction01:29 – The real difference between talented teams and extraordinary teams02:40 – Why the best performers prepare for the crucible before it arrives04:11 – The wingman rule: no one becomes their best alone07:21 – The 4 warning signs leaders start mentally breaking down09:27 – Why feedback feels personal when you’re not built to receive it12:37 – How to stop fearing failure and start fearing stagnation15:23 – The top 1% skill most people never train: emotional compartmentalization18:52 – The mindset shift that kills victim mentality20:23 – What Oklahoma City Thunder players can teach leaders about earning their spot21:36 – Why ordinary success under ordinary conditions means nothing23:16 – The visualization mistake most people make under pressure25:18 – Why elite performers rehearse the worst-case scenario27:14 – Past wins don’t matter when today’s pressure hits28:35 – Why who you were last year can’t be who you are now31:38 – How to tell the difference between calculated risk and reckless risk33:39 – What PsyOptimal measures that most leaders never see35:54 – The blind spots that show whether you’re struggling, surviving, or thriving37:29 – Why low compliance can poison even a talented team39:33 – How the Thunder built a culture where everyone pushes everyone42:20 – How to turn tragedy into triumph instead of a pity party45:29 – Damon’s final challenge: are you making diamonds or staying soft? About Wayne Chappelle Wayne Chappelle is a team psychologist and high-performance expert who has worked with elite teams and individuals across special operations, professional sports, business, and leadership. His work focuses on emotional, social, and behavioral functioning, including resilience, adaptability, composure, teamwork, confidence, and mental toughness under pressure. Through Psyoptimal, Wayne helps individuals, teams, and organizations better understand where they are struggling, surviving, or thriving so they can build the habits required to perform at an elite level. He is also the co-author of the New York Times bestselling book Heal Your Hurting Mind. Resources and Mentions Heal Your Hurting Mind book: https://www.amazon.com/Heal-Your-Hurting-Mind-Depression/dp/0310366747 Wayne Chappelle’s website: https://www.drchappelle.com/ Wayne Chappelle’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayne-chappelle-3990b6185/ PsyOPTIMAL website: https://psyoptimal.com/ Learn-It-All Press: Book a discovery call at www.learnitallpress.com Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates.

    47 min
  8. 293. The Leadership Skill Nobody Teaches (But Every Top Performer Has) | Damon Lembi

    May 6

    293. The Leadership Skill Nobody Teaches (But Every Top Performer Has) | Damon Lembi

    FREE Download The Learn-It-All Leader book Every top performer has one leadership skill that rarely shows up in job descriptions, training programs, or performance reviews: self-awareness. Most leaders don’t need another framework. They need the truth about what’s actually driving how they lead. In this solo episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon Lembi breaks down why self-awareness is the foundation behind every great leader, top performer, and high-functioning team. Through powerful personal stories, from getting called out by legendary Arizona State baseball coach Jim Brock, to lessons from his father on respect, to hard-earned insights on discipline, feedback, and failure, Damon shows why leadership doesn’t start with strategy. It starts with looking honestly at yourself. This episode introduces a simple but transformative idea: becoming the “historian of your own life.” When you understand the people, experiences, and beliefs that shaped you, you unlock the ability to lead with intention instead of default. If you’ve ever struggled with feedback, confidence, hiring, or consistency as a leader, this episode will challenge how you think and how you show up. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why self-awareness is the most important leadership skill and why most leaders avoid itHow to become the “historian of your own life” and uncover the beliefs shaping your decisionsThe hidden cost of acting like a know-it-all leader, especially in hiring and team buildingA simple but powerful interview hack to spot genuine character versus performanceHow worrying about what others think kills confidence, risk-taking, and growthThe leadership lesson Damon learned from two completely different role models, his father and grandfatherWhy discipline, health, and mental clarity directly impact leadership performanceThe turning point moment when harsh feedback from Coach Jim Brock changed Damon’s trajectory and what it teaches about accountability and growthWhy quitting drinking became a competitive advantage in Damon’s leadership and life Key Takeaway Self-awareness isn’t soft. It is one of the hardest and most valuable skills you can build as a leader. The best leaders don’t just learn more. They understand themselves better and use that awareness to lead, decide, and grow differently. Reflection Question for Leaders Who is the “Coach Brock” in your life, the person who challenged you, called you out, or believed in you before you believed in yourself? And more importantly, how are you showing up as that person for someone else? Timestamps 00:00 – The brutal 7AM wake-up call at Florida State00:56 – “Get your running shoes”: the morning Coach Brock called everyone out01:34 – Damon gets called a “slow-thinking, slow-footed sloth”02:34 – Five stories that shaped Damon’s leadership03:17 – The first leadership lesson: treat everybody with respect03:35 – How Damon’s mom taught him to make people feel welcome04:25 – The parking garage story that revealed Damon’s dad’s character05:38 – The interview mistake that made Damon’s team lose a great candidate06:19 – Why “know-it-all” leaders push talented people away07:39 – Damon’s hiring hack for spotting prima donnas early08:37 – The hidden cost of caring too much about what people think10:01 – How Damon’s insatiable appetite for learning started with his dad11:44 – Why a learning mindset matters more than ever in the age of AI12:01 – Damon compares the two biggest male influences in his life12:37 – Mental toughness, discipline, heart, and the “trust tax”14:02 – Why quitting drinking made Damon a sharper leader15:06 – The swing that changed Damon’s baseball season15:55 – The trophy Coach Brock always wanted Damon to have16:31 – Who was the Coach Brock in your life?16:56 – How to become that person for someone else About Damon Lembi Damon Lembi is a 3x bestselling author, the host of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, and CEO of Learnit – a live learning platform that has upskilled over 2 million people. Drawing from his prior baseball career, Damon brings an athlete’s perspective to leadership. Through his journey, he has gained invaluable insights into what helps organizations grow, how great leaders learn, and why learn-it-all companies outpace their competitors every time. Resources and Mentions: Connect with Damon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi/ Download Damon’s book: https://BookHip.com/FTZRCJB How Leaders Learn by David Novak: https://www.amazon.com/How-Leaders-Learn-Master-Successful/dp/164782754X Jason Menzo on The Learn-It-All Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqJJz9bgOwM Danielle Clark on The Learn-It-All Podcast: https://youtu.be/lD4yRHSob_0 Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates.

    18 min
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The Learn-It-All™ podcast is built on the conviction that the leaders worth following aren't the ones with all the answers. They're the ones who never stop learning. If you've chosen growth over coasting, and curiosity over the comfort of being the smartest person in the room, you're a learn-it-all. And this podcast is for you. Host Damon Lembi is a 3x bestselling author, CEO of Learnit, and someone who has spent 30 years watching what separates leaders who keep growing from those who quietly become the ceiling that limits everyone around them. Each episode features real conversations with top executives, founders, NYT bestselling authors, and world-class athletes — people who've faced adversity, made costly mistakes, and done the hard, unglamorous work of growing. They share what they learned — and unlearned — to lead at the next level. Great leaders aren't born or made. They're always in the making. Let's not do that work alone. Stay curious. Keep learning. Subscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast on your favorite platform to never miss an episode.

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